|
 |   |
|
EVENTS Fantasy Central Inside Game Multimedia Central Statitudes Your Turn Message Boards Email Newsletters Golf Guide Cities Work in Sports
CNNSI.com GROUP
COMMERCE |  |
MLS Cup '99 Preview D.C. United, L.A. Galaxy square off in rematch
Posted: Thursday November 18, 1999 08:55 PM
FOXBORO, Massachussetts (ST) -- D.C. United and the Los Angeles Galaxy meet Sunday in the fourth Major League Soccer Cup at Foxboro Stadium. The game marks a rematch of the inaugural 1996 MLS Cup, also at Foxboro, in which D.C. United upset the Galaxy 3-2 in overtime for the first of its two league titles. D.C. United has appeared in all three previous MLS finals, losing to the expansion Chicago Fire, 2-0, last season. The Galaxy defeated the Dallas Burn to capture the Western Conference title, while D.C. United beat the Columbus Crew for the Eastern Conference crown. The Galaxy defeated the Dallas Burn, 3-1, to capture the Western Conference title, while the United blanked the Columbus Crew, 4-0, at RFK Stadium. Both of the best-of-three series went the distance. D.C. United is led by a trio of superstars with excellent offensive skills. Forward Roy Lassiter netted two goals in Saturday's series-clinching 4-0 win over Columbus and brought his postseason points total to six (three goals and three assists). Jaime Moreno leads the United with four postseason goals and is the leading scorer in the playoffs with nine points. Bolivian midfielder Marco Etcheverry, who captured MVP honors in the 1996 finals, is the United's other marquee player. "El Diablo" has proven to be a devil to opponents with six postseason assists and is second on the team with eight points. The Galaxy, which is back in the finals after a two-year absence, features a formidable offense built around a trio of stars. Forward Mauricio Cienfuegos has a team-high seven points in the postseason and midfielder Carlos Hermosillo could present a problem for the D.C. defense. Hermosillo leads the Galaxy with three postseason goals and has six points. The third weapon is U.S. national team member Cobi Jones, who has three points in five playoff games. Jones provides speed on either side of the wing and is a consistent offensive threat. The Galaxy own the edge in net with Goalkeeper of the Year Kevin Hartman, who has a 0.80 goals against average in five postseason contests. Tom Presthus has been solid for the United, allowing just six goals in five games. The match will be televised live at 1:30 p.m. EST on ABC.
© 2003 SportsTicker Enterprises, LP
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
